Drop Pin

Swiss Dream Circus Turns 5!

For five magical years, the Swiss Dream Circus has been pitching up its tent in KL and offering an experience that’s hard to top. Each year the cavalcade rolls in with some of the world’s finest performers – a different, hand-picked set for each show – and for almost one month it transports audiences to a place where they can leave behind the real world for a few hours and enjoy a breathtaking show of imagination.

The brainchild of Marco Baumgartner and Ismail Stork, each edition of their circus aims to tell a story under a different theme, this year’s being ‘Celebration’ as the two revel in fifth anniversary festivities. Merging traditional and modern circus elements, it’s a show for both the young and the young at heart, keeping alive a tradition that dates back to 1768 when Englishman Philip Astley invited a few novelty acts to perform daring feats with him in his circular arena.

Dazzling Display

Baumgartner, a seasoned entertainer who grew up in a family of circus performers and who made his debut as a juggler at the age of thirteen, leaves no stone unturned in presenting what could be dubbed ‘the greatest show in town’. The symbol of any respectable circus is the tent, or ‘big top’, and Baumgartner’s is always a spectacle.

Erected by trained tent-masters over the course of six days, the imported big top is air-conditioned and can house up to 900 people. Kitted out with state-of-the-art lighting and audio tech that help weave together the precisely choreographed show, it’s big enough to feel like you’re in a grand setting, but small enough to create an intimate and cosy atmosphere. No matter which seat you’re in, you’re guaranteed a quality experience with awesome views

In The Ring

The Swiss Dream Circus is anything but your average circus show, mainly due to the world-class line up of performers painstakingly curated by Baumgartner and Stork every year. Both are constantly on the lookout for fresh talent and awe-inspiring acts that they handpick from all around the world.

This year is certainly no different as Celebration serves up a spread sure to captivate viewers. A first since its inception, the circus will present an amazing high rope act by the multi-award winning Dneprovtzki family. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you watch them perform daring stunts on an impossibly thin 15mm wire.

Just as audacious is Andrei Pogolerov, a gifted high wire artiste who thrives on taking calculated risks. He’ll be executing jumps up to nine feet high on the wheel of death – enough to make you white knuckle your seat and forget to breathe. More aerial action comes from trapeze queen Jeanin Eggenberger, a Swiss national who cut her teeth at the world renowned Cirque de Soleil and has since performed all around the world. Her acrobatics combine power, flexibility and elegance in equal measures, all at dizzying heights.

Lighting Up

Also brand new this year is Extreme Light, a young Ukrainian company that dons LED-illuminated costumes while putting on dance shows to create moving works of art in the dark. They are joined by countryman Stanislav Vysotskyi, who takes juggling to a whole new level – down to his feet! He’ll attempt to juggle up to four balls using only one foot. His technique is something to be marvelled at and a true mark of skill and determination.

Adding bags of laugher into the mix is eighth generation circus clown Victor Rossi, who began his career at the tender age of five and proudly keeps alive his family’s legacy. His unique blend of comic relief will have you in stitches – don’t be surprised if he picks you out to ‘assist’ him in his act as well!

Gracing the event this year is world champion jump roper Zac Tomlinson, who tumbles and twists at crazy speeds while executing flips and handstands around his blurring rope. Don’t blink while he’s on. The same can be said for mountain biker Ruslan who performs gravity defying jumps over his dance crew, and multidisciplinary circus artist Elena Sanders who specialises in aerial straps, contortion and hula hoops.

Don’s miss these plus many more at what promises to be a fantastic show for the whole family, one built of dreams and fantasies. The Swiss Dream Circus is in town!